ZMF Atrium - new open-back co-flagship

[goldwerger]

I just love black & white ebony!

By chance, I just posted in the headphone watercooler about my favorite looking headphones, with this wood featured as one of my top three... LINK

 

[ThanatosVI]

They finally arrived

Even prettier IRL than on the pictures.
Officially the prettiest headphones I've ever seen.

Now I gotta wait for the release of an Atrium Tuning Kit

 

[Squeaky Scav]

They finally arrived

Even prettier IRL than on the pictures.
Officially the prettiest headphones I've ever seen.

Now I gotta wait for the release of an Atrium Tuning Kit

Oh those are beautiful! The olive mesh works really well too.

 

[Deleeh]

They finally arrived

Even prettier IRL than on the pictures.
Officially the prettiest headphones I've ever seen.

Now I gotta wait for the release of an Atrium Tuning Kit

Congratulations, they look great.
What kind of wood did you choose?
Hope you like it on the Envy.
What I can definitely say is that the Atrium is very versatile when it comes to tubes.
What you might want to keep in mind is that if you find it too warm, then a hybrid colophoniser cable is something that will help you.
And of course the Caldera ultra Perf if you like the Auteur pads, the Caldera pads are a bit more neutral in tone with quite a similar signature to the Auteur pads, of course leather, suede I can't judge.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Congratulations, they look great.
What kind of wood did you choose?
Hope you like it on the Envy.
What I can definitely say is that the Atrium is very versatile when it comes to tubes.
What you might want to keep in mind is that if you find it too warm, then a hybrid colophoniser cable is something that will help you.
And of course the Caldera ultra Perf if you like the Auteur pads, the Caldera pads are a bit more neutral in tone with quite a similar signature to the Auteur pads, of course leather, suede I can't judge.

This is Walnut burl. It's stunningly beautiful.
I also ordered the B.B.B strap which I didn't even install yet.
Pad and Mesh wise I want to roll a lot once the tuning kits are available (like for CC)

I don't find them too warm with my Norne Silvergarde S4 8-wire, but will read up on these hybrid colophoniser cables. Never heard of those before

 

[zach915m]

They finally arrived

Even prettier IRL than on the pictures.
Officially the prettiest headphones I've ever seen.

Now I gotta wait for the release of an Atrium Tuning Kit

Walnut is really really awesome, we will work on using more walnut in the future. We may even use it for for resin stuff too.

As for tuning kits, we're on it! Will try to make those available sooner rather than later.

 

[JerseyD]

This is Walnut burl. It's stunningly beautiful.
I also ordered the B.B.B strap which I didn't even install yet.
Pad and Mesh wise I want to roll a lot once the tuning kits are available (like for CC)

I don't find them too warm with my Norne Silvergarde S4 8-wire, but will read up on these hybrid colophoniser cables. Never heard of those before

Hey, that’s the first I have heard of a tuning kit becoming available, but already available are a solid mesh, radial mesh (which may already be installed on yours) and all the pad options. Most popular as far as I have read are stock Universe perf lamb, Auteur perf lamb and Caldera ultra-perf suede. Personally, I can’t figure out why some like the lamb ultra-perf - it made all that lovely bass disappear

 

[ThanatosVI]

Walnut is really really awesome, we will work on using more walnut in the future. We may even use it for for resin stuff too.

As for tuning kits, we're on it! Will try to make those available sooner rather than later.

I'm very glad to hear that. Walnut is awesome.
I might even order a Caldera in exact same design as these Atriums. So keep some Walnut in stock. (Also for new releases)

When I get an Dark Matter Audio Labs IEM, then of course also with a nice Walnut faceplate.

With regards to the tuning kit, you can consider my order in the moment they are out

 

[Deleeh]

Walnut is really really awesome, we will work on using more walnut in the future. We may even use it for for resin stuff too.

As for tuning kits, we're on it! Will try to make those available sooner rather than later.

Boar, of course that makes you curious and keen for more.
I'm looking forward to hearing the details of the tuning kit.
Will there also be something for the Verite later or will it just be Atrium for now?

I thought ZMF Headphones had slowly reached a point where at some point headphones would be dropped from the portfolio because of new headphones or certain headphones would only be available 2-3 times a year.
This is not the case if you look at the last 2 years, starting with the Atrium open you have only gone steeply uphill.
Now name me a headphone manufacturer who is still doing something with tuning kits to get something out of it, there isn't one.

 

[francerex]

Atrium owners, do yourselves a favour and listen to this album:

Jonathan Wilson - Fanfare

You can thank me (or curse me) later It is pure sonic heroin

 

[rsbrsvp]

Has anyone yet tried the Cladera thick pads on the AO? I'm curious to hear impressions...

 

[ThanatosVI]

The Atrium is amazing.
Today I installed the B.B.B strap
With that one I'd put the comfort even on par with Meze headphones, it's just that good.

Comfort with the base headband was already great too.

I'm also loving the sound, but will refrain from impressions until the first honey moon period has worn off

 

[rsbrsvp]

I just got my Atrium Open.

I agree with the consensus that it is less accurate but more euphonic than the Caldera Open. My surprise however is by how little. In my system- the Atrium is holding very close in technicalities behind the Caldera but has a noticeably thicker tone which is very very enjoyable. If I were to give it a number I'd say it is a half a step behind the Caldera in technicalities but a full step or maybe even step and a half ahead in euphonic tone (based on my tastes). I am shocked- as I may like it better than the CO. I find the slightly less detailed and slower sound very to my liking. Sonic density is massively increased in exchange for this small concession. Still need more time- but even if prefer the CO at the end overall- this AO is fantastic. Minimum equal but different IMHO.

 

[j0val]

I just got my Atrium Open.

I agree with the consensus that it is less accurate but more euphonic than the Caldera Open. My surprise however is by how little. In my system- the Atrium is holding very close in technicalities behind the Caldera but has a noticeably thicker tone which is very very enjoyable. If I were to give it a number I'd say it is a half a step behind the Caldera in technicalities but a full step or maybe even step and a half ahead in euphonic tone (based on my tastes). I am shocked- as I may like it better than the CO. I find the slightly less detailed and slower sound very to my liking. Sonic density is massively increased in exchange for this small concession. Still need more time- but even if prefer the CO at the end overall- this AO is fantastic. Minimum equal but different IMHO.

I just got an Atrium Open too. Very organic and thick sounding. What pads are you using to compare to the Caldera? Also, what is your chain?

 

[rsbrsvp]

I just got an Atrium Open too. Very organic and thick sounding. What pads are you using to compare to the Caldera? Also, what is your chain?

CO with thick pads and AO with standard Universal Lambskin.

DAC- Hibiki SDS Signature. Mass Kobo 394 MK2 headphone amp.

The AO has so much more sonic density and tonal color over the CO with minimal degradation in speed and detail. Very happy... Both ae excellent....